Gen Zs’ take on: Diploma o Diskarte?

IN today’s world, the debate over the value of diploma versus practical skills, often referred to as diskarte, remains highly relevant.

Not everyone has the privilege to pursue higher education, which leads many young people to learn survival skills on the streets or compete directly in the workplace with little more than confidence or desperation.

On the contrary, those who do have the opportunity to attend university face their own set of challenges, figuring out how to overcome a system some claim they only work hard for, to seek jobs easier.

This debate is further complicated by the fact that many undergraduate students are earning more than the graduates. And so this raises the questions: What truly matters more in today’s job market? What is more effective for Gen Zs, considering their different life situations?

Reality of Limited Access

For many young people, especially those from underprivileged communities, the path to education is not linear. Andrei, 21, made a practical choice after stopping his studies in his third year of college due to academic and financial struggles.

Facing financial barriers, lack of resources, or personal responsibilities, undergraduate students like Andrei struggle in pursuing a degree. As a result, they develop resilience and resourcefulness – skills that are critical in competing in the job market without formal credentials.

Possessing these qualities, although out of survival, can be just as valuable as a diploma.

However, despite being able to pick himself up from his struggles, Andrei, who is now a call center agent acknowledges the value of education saying, “In my status, I did choose diskarte over diploma since I was struggling in life [but] I’m not saying na mas importante ang maging diskarte more than having a diploma kasi mas iba pa rin kapag may tinapos sa buhay.”

This shows the common feeling of those who have had to prioritize working early over education.

Challenges of University Life

On the other hand, those who attend university do not necessarily have easier lives than those who don’t. They also face a variety of obstacles, especially those who are barely getting by but still crawling their way to graduate – balancing coursework and part-time jobs.

Kaye, a 20-year-old Bachelor of Arts in Communication student, manages a small business while studying.

She mentioned, “It’s been challenging to manage my time between academic responsibilities and small business, but I always make sure that my top priority is my studies while trying to make my own earnings from my small business.”

Moreover, there’s a perception that simply holding a degree equates to instant job opportunities. But this isn’t always the case.

This is the reason why Kaye understands that having a diploma can indeed provide security, but valuing diskarte is just as important.

“I also believe that diskarte is essential nowadays and in this competitive world. Being able to think on my feet, adapt to new situations, and find creative solutions to problems has been valuable in both my academic and professional jobs,” she shared.

This resonates with other fresh graduates in the competitive job market who find themselves struggling to secure positions that match their qualifications.

One of them is Yumi, a 22-year-old college graduate who is currently unemployed despite being a cum laude.

“Although I am an honor graduate, it did not make a significant difference in applying for a job. It was as difficult as applying for a job as an ordinary college graduate,” she shared.

Her experience just shows that a diploma alone does not guarantee success.

This situation of Yumi made her reflect that both diploma and diskarte are essential.

“The success of landing on a good job still varies, but it surely is difficult to get a job without a diploma. Having a diploma and diskarte will help me have a job instantly regardless if it pays well or not,” she explained.

Kaye and Yumi’s experiences show that having a university experience, or better, a diploma, might be an advantage to others, but not always to everyone.

Diploma ‘AT’ Diskarte

Since the lines between education and practical experience are now quite blurry, many in Gen Z are starting to question what truly matters in their careers. The reality that some undergraduates earn more than some degree holders speaks volumes about the changing standards of work.

Regardless, it is important to recognize that a diploma often represents years of thorough practice and valuable knowledge. So, the implications of having unqualified individuals in critical roles must also be considered.

We would not want a doctor without a diploma operating on a patient or a self-proclaimed teacher without formal credentials educating our children just because they claimed to be ‘good with kids.’

Similarly, we would not want political candidates to serve the country while lacking transparent qualifications aside from their desire to ‘take care of the country and its citizens.’

We would want some sort of validation that someone possesses the necessary skills and knowledge in a particular profession, and diploma is one of them.

Employers often look for this validation, which can be crucial for passing initial job application screenings. Rhy, a 23-year old and currently working, agreed saying, “…If nakapagtapos ka ng college, it is an advantage finding a better job.”

But it doesn’t end there.

Winning a job isn’t as simple as having a diploma, much like winning a game of Chinese Garter isn’t just about knowing how to jump.

Consistently proving your qualifications and capability to perform well in a job is essential. This is where diskarte comes into play.

As Rhy puts it, “…If may diskarte ka, then magagamit natin ‘yun as a tool para ma-incorporate natin ‘yung knowledge natin na nakuha sa school.”

Having the credentials (diploma) but lacking the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world (diskarte) can be ineffective.

On the other hand, although having diskarte can help you survive life without a diploma, it can also limit your opportunities for a more comfortable future.

Gen Z’s perspective on this debate reflects a growing awareness of how hard life is, recognizing that being book-smart is not enough; knowing how to survive the real world or being street-smart, is equally important.